What is an example of a pre-assessment strategy?

A pre-assessment strategy is designed to gauge students' existing knowledge, skills, and understanding before instruction begins, allowing educators to tailor their teaching to meet student needs. The choice involving the "five most difficult questions" exemplifies this concept, as it involves identifying specific areas where students may struggle or have gaps in knowledge. By focusing on challenging questions, teachers can analyze students' responses to understand their current level of mastery and adapt instruction accordingly.

In contrast, group discussions typically occur during or after instruction and serve to deepen understanding rather than assess prior knowledge. A final examination evaluates the knowledge gained after a unit has been taught and does not reflect what students knew beforehand. An end-of-unit project is also an assessment of student learning after instruction, rather than a way to assess prior understanding before learning takes place. Thus, the strategy of presenting challenging questions beforehand is distinctly effective in assessing students' starting points.